WO2017187313A1

WO2017187313A1 - Bottles and containers with visible trace of use

Info

Publication number: WO2017187313A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/052333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amish Hemendrakumar MEHTA
Original assignee: Mehta Amish Hemendrakumar
Priority date: 2016-04-26
Filing date: 2017-04-24
Publication date: 2017-11-02

Abstract

A container with visible trace of use, comprising of a cap with or without a tab, disposed on the container and a plurality of arms, each arm having a first part and a second part, wherein a detachment of the cap produces a fractured face on the first part and the second part, the second part with the fractured face on its free end remains on a top region of the container. The tab is a solid tab or a hollow tab, optionally permanently engaged with the plurality of arms. The fractured face is a serrate edge, a zigzag mark, a tooth-like mark, a rough surface, a jagged surface, a notch formation, or a combination thereof. The arm(s) breaks from a frangible section or any point between the first part and the second part leaving as a residue the second part visibly attached to the container. The cap is a threaded cap, a flip-top cap, a seal cap, a sports cap, push-pull cap, a spice cap, a spout cap, a crown cap, a twist top cap, a disc top cap, a screw cap, or a tamper-proof cap, whereas the container is a bottle or a jar or a drum.

Description

BOTTLES AND CONTAINERS WITH VISIBLE TRACE OF USE

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] The present complete specification claims priority to the provisional specification having Application no.201621014430 filed on April 26, 2016. FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to bottles and containers. Particularly, the present invention relates to bottles and containers that can be easily identified whether they are for first use or re-use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Currently, the activities of counterfeiting famous drink are socially rampant, seriously damaging the interests of the manufacturers and health of the masses. One of the main methods is by re-use of old containers and bottles while imitating original closing means. People cannot judge the authenticity from the appearance. In the sale of liquor, perfumes, and other commodities, the original bottles and containers of the usual type may be refilled with inferior and unauthorized imitations of the original and genuine contents. The containers may be resealed in imitation of the original packages whereby the refilled packages may be packed and sold to unwary purchasers as genuine and original packages, to the detriment of the manufacturer as well as the purchaser.

[0004] There are known and disclosed several concepts to provide some sort of sealing arrangement on the closure means of the bottles and containers.

[0005] In cases where the bottle is deformed or damaged while or after use, there is no question of deceptive re-use. Patent Application No. WO2005097613A1 discloses a glass bottle with radial flanges disposed around the neck to which the glass cap is affixed. The glass cap must first be removed by striking the cap against the flanges to access the cork stopper. This ensures that when the contents of the bottle are consumed, the neck is removed by separating and breaking flanges at the weakened circumferential section to prevent re-use of the bottle.

[0006] There are various types of bottle caps with sealing devices attached to the lower end of the cap. Patent No.US6736280Bl discloses a sealing belt with improved vertical weakening points and forming breakable vertical points in the sealing belt. Means for assisting user in opening the bottle cap are known. A method of gauging use or non-use of the container is as shown in Patent Application no. WO2008095368A1 which discloses a sealing aluminium foil on the opening of the upper portion of the cap.

[0007] In Patent No.US3927784A, a tear tab attached to the tear band is provided with a means for the tear band to be torn from the cap by the consumer wherein the tab extends outwardly from the tear band and then downwardly terminating a position below the rim of the bottleneck. Also, as seen in Patent No.US4678094A, the flange is provided on the exterior of the cap and intended to assist in removing the cap after the bottom of the seal has been torn away. The flange prevents the seal from tearing upward above the first groove and also facilitates prying the cap off the neck when the lower part of the skirt has been torn off.

[0008] There has been a disclosure in Patent Application No. WO2005032957A1, claiming priority of Indian Application No.l053/MUM/2003 wherein the sealing arrangement is done in a manner such that once a part of the bottle is broken, there would be traces of tensile resistance on the broken area and the surface uniformity around the broken part is disturbed resulting into color distortion, difference in transparency/ texture, etc.

[0009] It is also known that most of the bottles or containers or jars are sealed using peel-off stickers. But these peel-off stickers may be damaged during the manufacturing, handling or stocking of the containers. In addition, the adhesive of the peel-off sticker may be weakened with time and may be even removed for unauthorized use.

[0010] Most known designs disclose sealing arrangement as part of the cap or closure which gets renewed with new seal or cap, leaving virtually no evidence of prior use. In any case, re-use is not easily caught. On the other hand, certain containers are meant for recycling and it becomes even more difficult to figure out whether the refill is from the original manufacturer or counterfeiters.

[0011] The present invention is designed to resolve the above-mentioned problems and offer a novel mechanism that allows the consumer to easily and quickly detect the genuineness of closing of the containers.

OBJECTIVE OF INVENTION [0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a means for bottles and containers whereby it is surely determinable by casual visual inspection whether the bottle and the container is never opened or already opened. [0013] Another object is to provide the bottle and the container which cannot be misjudged for first use or re-use.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a trace or an evidence of opening the bottle and the container, which cannot be easily removed or destroyed.

[0015] Yet another object of the invention is to provide the trace or the evidence of opening the bottles and containers on the bottles and containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In a typical prior art cap disposed on bottles, the cap when detached has several very small discrete broken edges on a lower edge of the cap or on a ring staying back on neck of the bottle, which are hardly visible. The tamper-evident feature, in the present invention provides robust evidence not only on the cap but also on the bottle and the container. On the very first attempt to open the bottle or container, a distinctly noticeable mark may be left on the cap and the container indicating tamper.

[0017] The container as per an embodiment of present invention is a bottle or a jar to hold fluid or eatables. In one embodiment, the cap is having a tab. The tab is a hollow tab or a solid tab. There is provided an arm for sealing the container. The arm, and particularly a first part and a second part of the arm is a rigid projection, rectangular or circular or any cross-sectional shape protruding from an upper region of the container, according to one embodiment. Besides the first part and the second part the arm has a localized weaked zone termed as a frangible section.

[0018] According to first embodiment, the arm is permanently trapped inside the hollow tab when the container is closed. The cap, when detached from the container, the arm breaks from the frangible section, leaving behind the second part of the arm as a residue, and a fractured face on a free end of the first part and the second part of the arm, which is an unfailingly visible trace of opening the container. The arm may break from any point between the first part and the second part. The detachment of the cap from the container may be carried out by twisting or rotating (in clockwise and or anti- clock wise direction) the cap.

[0019] The fractured face may be a serrate edge, a zigzag mark, a tooth-like mark, a rough surface, a jagged surface, a notch formation, or a combination thereof. Even if recapping or closing of the container is attempted with the same cap, a demarcation line is visible at the frangible section of the arm or any point between the first part and the second part from where the arm is broken.

[0020] In another embodiment, the arm is merely inserted into the hollow tab. When the cap is detached, the first part and the second part of the arm are separated from the frangible section or any point between the first part and the second part. Consequently, the first part of the arm falls down whereas the second part remains as a residual part attached to the upper region of the container. The second part also has the fractured face which may be a serrate edge, a zigzag mark, a tooth-like mark, a rough surface, a jagged surface, a notch formation, or a combination thereof, visible on the second part of the arm, alerting the consumer. According to another embodiment, the arm may be present on any one of the two sides adjacent to the solid tab so that the arm prevents detaching of the cap. Even on an attempt to reclose the container with the same cap having the solid tab, the second part as well as the fractured face on the second part of the arm shall amply indicate evidence of opening of the container.

[0021] In another embodiment, the first part of the arm is inseparably attached to the solid tab of the cap when the container is closed. In such an embodiment, the arm, upon detachment breaks from the frangible section or any point between the first part and the second part, separating the first part and the second part. Here, the first part remains attached to the solid tab whereas the second part remains attached to the upper region of the container. The trace of opening the container is present on the cap as well as on the container.

[0022] According to yet another embodiment, the arm, protruded from the upper region of the container is inseparably disposed on to an outer circumferential surface of the cap. On detaching the cap, the arm breaks from the frangible section or any point between the first part and the second part of the arm. The fractured face is visible on the free ends of the first part and the second part of the arm. On reclosing the container even with the same cap, the demarcation line will be visible alerting the consumer about the authenticity of the container.

[0023] In another embodiment, the arm is permanently fitted together externally to the cap and to the upper region of the container after the container is filled with desired contents. In yet another embodiment, the cap is integrally inbuilt with the arm. After filling the desired contents in the container, the cap inbuilt with the arm is disposed on the container and the second part inseparably disposed on the top region of the container.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the container is a drum or a barrel. The arm is permanently disposed on the circumfrential surface of the cap as well on the upper region of the container. Generally, caps and such containers as drums or barrels are also made of metals, besides engineering plastics. In order to open the cap, the arm may have to be sheared or cut using a communserate tool, such that the arm breaks relatively easily from the frangible section or any point between the first part and the second part separating the first part and the second part and the second part remains attached to the container after first opening of the container. On recapping even with the same cap, the demarcation line will be clearly visible and in any case an exact match of the sheared faces of the first part and the second part may not be possible, unfailingly indicating the state of the container.

[0025] Yet another embodiment pertains to a flip-top cap disposed on the container. The upper portion and the lower portion of the flip-top cap is joined with the arm. The upper portion of the flip-top cap is detached from the lower portion, thus breaking the arm from the frangible section or any point between the first part and the second part, and the second part stays as a clear evidence of use. Even in the event the same flip-top cap with broken arm is reclosed, the demarcation line generated after joining the fractured faces at the free ends of the first part and the second part will be visible specifying the use or reuse of the container.

[0026] Another embodiment is of a crown cap disposed on the bottle. Upon opening the bottle with a bottle opener, the arm breaks from the frangible section or any point between the first part and the second part, while the second part boldly stays as an evidence of opening. Even if an attempt is made to reclose the same crown cap after unauthorised refilling of the container, the demarcation line will be visible alerting the consumers about opening of the container. The present invention may avoid refilling the authentic container with inferior contents.

[0027] Variations are possible in shape of the arm. The second part of the arm has a fixing end which is a projected end or a flat end or a circular ring, or any shape commensurate for inseparably fitting the arm onto a top region of the container.

[0028] In another embodiment, the plurality of arms protrudes from an outer rim at the upper region of the container, incliningly connected to a lower rim of the cap. The cap is detached and the plurality of arms breaks from the frangible section or any point between the first part and the second part showing the fractured faces visible at the free ends of the first part and the second part. Even on reclosing the container with the same cap, the demarcation line is generated at the free ends of the first part and the second part that is prominently visible. In yet another embodiment the plurality of arms protruding from the outer rim of the container connecting the lower rim are angular arms. In the event the cap is detached from the container, the arms will break from the frangible section or any point between the first part and the second part. The fractured face at the free ends of the first part and the second part may be an indication of use or reuse of the container.

[0029] In the event the cap of different container is unauthorisedly disposed on the container, a gap may be generated between the first part and the second part of the frangible section of the arm and or the first part and the second part of the arm may overlap that is visible by naked eye indicating the use or reuse of the container. In the event that any person deliberately tries to reunite the broken first part and the second part back into the original manufactured product by any means, the tampering will be clearly evident.

[0030] The containers with the cap as disclosed above are sealed with the arm using heat sealing or ultrasonic welding or plastic sealing during manufacturing once they are filled with desired contents. In the various embodiments disclosed above, the cap of the container cannot be detached without rupturing the arm. In addition, the cap may be removed in one rotation thereby breaking the arm from the frangible section.

[0031] The present invention provides maximum protection against tampering and counterfeiting by leaving the second part as a residue on the container as a robust trace, which cannot go unnoticed. These impressions or marks may not be easily destroyed and or removed without further distorting the containers. With the mechanism disclosed in the present invention, it is possible to easily trace the originality of the contents, for containers meant for single use as well as those intended for multiple use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0032] Figure A is a perspective view of a prior art bottle.

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container with an arm, and a cap with a tab. [0034] Figure 2a is a perspective view of the cap with a hollow tab trapping the arm, according to one embodiment.

[0035] Figure 2b is a perspective view of the cap with the arm engaged with a solid tab, according to another embodiment.

[0036] Figure 3 a is a side view showing the cap with the hollow tab having the arm permanently inserted into the hollow tab.

[0037] Figure 3b is a side view showing the cap of Figure 3a in a semi-open position and broken arm.

[0038] Figure 3c is a side view showing the cap of Figure 3a in a closed position with a noticeable mark on the broken arm.

[0039] Figure 3d is a side view showing the broken part of the arm after the detachment of the cap.

[0040] Figure 3e is a side view displaying a fractured face on the second part of the arm after reclosing the cap.

[0041] Figure 4a is a perspective view of the cap having the solid tab and the arm according to another embodiment.

[0042] Figure 4b is a perspective view after the detachment of the cap of Figure 4a.

[0043] Figure 4c is a perspective view showing the cap with the solid tab and the arm inseparably attached to the solid tab.

[0044] Figure 4d is a perspective view showing the breakage of the arm after detachment of the cap of Figure 4c.

[0045] Figure 4e is a side view of the cap of Figures 4c and 4d after recapping.

[0046] Figure 5a is a side view showing the arm inseparably disposed onto an outer circumferential surface of the cap, according to another embodiment.

[0047] Figure 5b is a side view of the cap of Figure 5a of the container in the semi- open position with the broken arm, according to yet another embodiment.

[0048] Figure 5c is a side view of the cap of Figure 5a of the container in the closed position with the noticeable mark on the broken arm.

[0049] Figures 5d is a side view of yet another embodiment.

[0050] Figure 5e is a side view of yet another embodiment.

[0051] Figure 5f and 5g show a side view after detaching the cap and reclosing.

[0052] Figures 6a-6c show another embodiment of the cap sealed with the arm. [0053] Figure 7a-7c is another embodiment with a flip-top cap sealed with the arm, according to another embodiment.

[0054] Figures 8a-8c show another embodiment with a crown cap.

[0055] Figures 9a-9c show different possible constructions of the arm, particularly the second part.

[0056] Figures 10a- 10c pertain to another embodiment of the cap.

[0057] Figures 1 la-1 lc pertain to yet another embodiment of the cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The present invention shall now be described with the help of drawings. It is to be noted that there are several variations possible to be made around the concept of this invention and the description of various embodiments given here below should not be construed to limit the invention in any manner.

[0059] A typical prior art cap (50) disposed on bottles (60) is shown in Figure A. The cap (50) when detached has several very small discrete broken edges on a lower edge of the cap and or on a ring staying back on neck of the bottle (60), which are hardly visible. Recapping of such bottles, whether with old cap or new cap, often looks like an originally sealed bottle and misleads as if factory sealed, particularly when tightened. The consumers, in this situation, find it difficult to recognize the authenticity of the contents of the bottle.

[0060] The tamper-evident feature, in the present invention provides robust residue not only on the cap but also on the bottle/container. On the very first attempt to open the bottle or container, a distinctly noticeable mark is left on the cap and the container indicating tamper.

[0061] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container (100) having an arm (103) inseparaby attached to the container (100), and a cap (101) having a tab (102). The container (100) is a bottle or a jar to hold fluid or eatables. The container (100) may be made of a material that include without limitation, plastic materials such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE or polyester), Low Density Polyethelene (LDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) .Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polycarbonate (PC), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Fluorine Treated (HDPE), Post Consumer Resin (PCR), K-Resin (SBC), Bioplastic, et cetera and metals such as aluminium, steel, et cetera. [0062] The cap (101), also known as a closure or a lid, is to cover and close a top opening of the container (100). The cap (101) may be of any shape (e.g., circle, square, oval, et cetera) constructed from a resilient and or moderately flexible plastic materials such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylates, polyamides, polypropylene, et cetera. In another embodiment, the cap (101) may be made of metals such as aluminium, iron, steel, et cetera. The cap (101) may be any one of a flip-top cap (700) shown in Figure-7a, a crown cap (800) shown in Figure-8a, or a seal cap, a sports cap, a push-pull cap, a spice cap, a spout cap, a twist top cap, a disc top cap, a screw cap, a tamper-proof cap, et cetera, besides a threaded cap.

[0063] In one embodiment, the cap (101) is having a tab (102). The tab (102) of the cap (101) is used to open and or close the container (100) with ease. The tab (102) is a hollow tab (200) or a solid tab (201). Figures 2a and 2b are the perspective views of the cap (101) showing an engagement of the arm (103) with the hollow tab (200) and the solid tab (201) respectively.

[0064] The arm (103), and particularly a first part (104) and a second part (105) is a rigid projection, rectangular or circular or any cross -sectional shape,protruding from an upper region (107) of the container (100), according to one embodiment. The arm (103) has thefirst part (104), the second part (105) and a localized weaked zone termed as a frangible section (106).

[0065] According to first embodiment, Figure 3a shows a side view of the cap (101) with the hollow tab (200). The arm (103) is permanently trapped inside the hollow tab (200) after the container (100) is filled and closed. The cap (101), when detached from the container (100) (as seen in Figure 3b), the arm (103) breaks from the frangible section (106), leaving behind the second part of the arm (106) as a residue, and a fractured face (300) on a free end of the first part (104) and the second part (105) of the arm (103), which is an unfailingly visible trace of opening the container (100). In another embodiment, the arm (103) may break from any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105). The detachment of the cap (101) from the container (100) may be carried out by twisting or rotating (in clockwise and or anti-clock wise direction) the c ap ( 101 ) .

[0066] The fractured face (300) may be a serrate edge, a zigzag mark, a tooth-like mark, a rough surface, a jagged surface, a notch formation, or a combination thereof. Even if recapping or closing of the container (100) is attempted with the same cap (101) (as seen in Figure 3c), a demarcation line (301) is visible at the frangible section (106) of the arm (103) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105) from where the arm (103) is broken.

[0067] In another embodiment, the arm (103) is merely inserted into the hollow tab (200). When the cap (101) is detached, the first part (104) and the second part (105) of the arm (103) are separated from the frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105). Consequently, the first part (104) of the arm (103) falls down (as seen in Figures 3d and 3e) whereas the second part (105) remains as a residual part attached to the upper region (107) of the container (100). The second part (105) also has the fractured face (300) which may be a serrate edge, a zigzag mark, a tooth-like mark, a rough surface, a jagged surface, a notch formation, or a combination thereof, visible on the second part (105) of the arm (103), alerting the consumer. Figure 3e is a side view displaying the fractured face (300) left on the second part (105) of the arm (103) even after the reclosing of the cap (101) having the hollow tab (200).

[0068] Figure 4a is a perspective view of the cap (101) of the container (100) having the solid tab (201), according to third embodiment. The arm (103) may be present on any one of the two sides adjacent to the solid tab (201) so that the arm (103) prevents detaching of the cap (101). Figure 4b illustrates detachment of the cap (101) from the container (lOO)wherein the first part (104) of the arm (103) is separated and fallen down, whereas the second part (105) is a residual part that remains attached to the upper region (107) of the container (100). Even on an attempt to reclose the container (100) with the same cap (101) having the solid tab (201), the second part (105) as well as the fractured face (300) on the second part (105) of the arm (103) shall amply indicate evidence of opening of the container (100).

[0069] In fourth embodiment, the first part (104) of the arm (103) is inseparably attached to the solid tab (201) of the cap (101) (as illustrated in Figure 4c) when the container (100) is closed. In such an embodiment, the arm (103), upon detachment (as seen in Figure 4d) of the cap (101), breaks from the frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105), separating the first part (104) and the second part (105). Here, the first part (104) remains attached to the solid tab (201) (as illustrated in Figure 4e) whereas the second part (105) remains attached to the upper region (107) of the container (100). The trace of opening the container (100) is present on the cap (101) as well as on the container (100). [0070] Figure 5a is a side view of the cap (101) of the container (100) in the closed position, according to fifth embodiment. The arm (103), protruded from the upper region (107) of the container (100) is inseparably disposed on to an outer circumferential surface of the cap (101). On detaching the cap (101), the arm (103) breaks (as seen in Figure 5b) from the frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105) of the arm (103). The fractured face (300) is visible on the free ends of the first part (104) and the second part (105) of the arm (103). On reclosing the container (100) even with the same cap (101), the demarcation line (301) will be visible alerting the consumer about the authenticity of the container (100) (as illustrated in Figure 5c). In another embodiment, upon reclosing, a gap may be generated near the free ends of the first part (104) and the second part (105) of the arm (103). In yet another embodiment, the first part (104) and the second part (105) may overlap upon each other on reclosing the cap (103).

[0071] In another embodiment, the arm (103) is permanently fitted, together, externally to the cap (101) and to the upper region (107) of the container (100) after the container (100) is filled with desired contents (as illustrated in Figure 5d). Figure 5f illustrates the breakage of the arm (103) after detaching the cap (101) of the container (100) from the frangible section (106). Here, the fractured face (300) is seen indicating the opening of the cap (101) for the first time. In the event the same cap (101) is used to cover the container (100) after the breakage of the arm (103), the demarcation line (301), as seen in Figure 5g will be visible indicating the fracture of the arm (103).

[0072] In another embodiment as illustrated in Figure 5e, where a cap (101) is integrally inbuilt with the arm (103). After filling the contents in the container (100), the cap (101) inbuilt with the arm (103) is disposed on the container (100) and the second part (105) inseparably disposed on the top region (107) of the container (100). In both the embodiments of Figures 5d and 5e, on detaching the cap (101), the arm (103) breaks from the frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105) leaving behind fractured faces (300) on the free ends of the first part (104) and the second part (105).

[0073] Figures 6a-6c are perspective views of yet another embodiment. Here, a container (100) is a drum or a barrel. The arm (103) is permanently disposed on the circumfrential surface of the cap (101) as well on the upper region (107) of the container (100). Generally, caps (101) and such containers (100) as drums or barrels are also made of metals, besides engineering plastics. In order to detach the cap (101), the arm (103) may have to be sheared or cut using a communserate tool, such that the arm

(103) breaks relatively easily from the frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105) separating the first part (104) and the second part (105) (as seen in Figure 6b) and the second part (105) remains attached to the container (100) after first opening of the container (100). On recapping even with the same cap (101), the demarcation line (301) will be clearly visible and in any case an exact match of the sheared faces of the first part (104) and the second part (105) may not be possible, unfailingly indicating the state of the container (100) (as illustrated in Figure 6c).

[0074] Figures 7a-7c are yet another embodiment of a flip-top cap (700) disposed on the container (100). The upper portion (701) and the lower portion (702) of the flip- top cap (700) is joined with the arm (103). In Figure 7b, the upper portion (701) of the flip-top cap (700) is detached from the lower portion (702), thus breaking the arm (103) from the frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105), and the second part (105) stays as a clear evidence of use. Even in the event the same flip-top cap (700) with broken arm (103) is reclosed, the demarcation line (301) generated after joining the fractured faces (300) at the free ends of the first part

(104) and the second part (105) will be visible specifying the use or reuse of the container (100) (as illustrated in Figure 7c).

[0075] Figures 8a-8c illustrates another embodiment of a crown cap (800) disposed on the container (100), which in this embodiment is a bottle.The first part (104) of the arm (103) is inseparaby fixed to the crown cap (800) while the second part (105) of the arm (103) is inseparably fixed to the container (100). Upon opening the container (100) with a bottle opener or any suitable tool, the arm (103) breaks from the frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105) indicating the fractured face (300) (as illustrated in Figure 8b), while the second part(105) boldly stays as an evidence of opening. Even an attempt is made to reclose the same crown cap (800) after unauthorised refilling of the container (100), the demarcation line (301) (as illustrated in Figure 8c) will be visible alerting the consumers about opening of the container (100). The present invention may avoid refilling the authentic container (100) with inferior contents, importantly because bottles with crown caps are generally re-used. [0076] Figure 9a, 9b and 9c shows variations in shape of the arm (103). The second part (105) of the arm (103) has a fixing end (105a) which is a projected end or a flat end or a circular ring, or any shape commensurate for inseparably fitting the arm (103) onto a top region of the container.

[0077] Another embodiment is illustrated in Figures 10a- 10c. The plurality of arms

(103) protruding from an outer rim (902) at the upper region (107) of the container (100) are incliningly connected to a lower rim (903) of the cap (101) (as seen in Figure 10a). In Figure 10b, the cap (101) is detached and the plurality of arms (103) breaks from the frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105) showing the fractured faces (300) visible at the free ends of the first part

(104) and the second part (105). Even on reclosing the container (100) with the same cap (101), the demarcation line (301) is generated at the free ends of the first part (104) and the second part (105) that is prominently visible (as illustrated in Figure 10c).

[0078] In yet another embodiment as illustrated in Figures 11a- 11c, the plurality of arms (103) protruding from the outer rim (902) of the container (100) connecting the lower rim (903) are angular arms (as seen in Figure 11a). In the event, the cap (101) is detached from the container (100), the arm(s) (103) will break from the frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105). The fractured face (300) at the free ends of the first part (104) and the second part (105) may be an indication of use or reuse of the container (100). Even on recapping with the same cap (101), the demarcation line (301) will be clearly visible indicating use or reuse of the container (100) (as illustrated in Figure 11c).

[0079] In the event the cap of different container is unauthorisedly disposed on the container (100), a gap may be generated between the first part (104) and the second part (105) of the frangible section (106) of the arm (103) and or the first part (104) and the second part (105) of the arm (103) may overlap that is visible by naked eye indicating the use or reuse of the container (100). In the event, any person deliberately tries to reunite the broken first part (104) and the second part (105) back into the original manufactured product by any means, the tampering will be clearly evident.

[0080] The containers (100) with the cap (101) as disclosed above are sealed with the arm (103) using heat sealing or ultrasonic welding or plastic sealing during manufacturing once they are filled with contents. In the various embodiments disclosed above, the cap (101) of the container (100) cannot be detached without rupturing the arm (103). The cap (101) may be detached by turning in less than one rotation or more than one rotation, thereby breaking the arm (103) from the frangible section (106) or elsewhere.

[0081] The present invention provides protection against tampering and counterfeiting by leaving the second part (105) as a residue on the container (100) as a robust trace, which cannot go unnoticed. These impressions or marks may not be easily destroyed and or removed without further distorting the containers. With the sealing disclosed in the present invention, it is possible to easily trace the originality of the contents, for containers meant for single use as well as those intended for multiple use.

Claims

I claim,

1. A container (100) with visible trace of use, comprising of:

a cap (101) with a tab (102), disposed on the container (100); and at least one or plurality of arms (103), each arm (103) having a first part (104) and a second part (105), the second part (105) permanently disposed onto the container (100) and the first part (104) engaged with the tab (102) of the cap (101) after the container (100) is filled and closed;

wherein a detachment of the cap (101) produces a fractured face (300) on the first part (104) and the second part (105), the second part (105) with the fractured face on its free end remains on a top region of the container (100).

2. The container (100) of claim 1, wherein the tab (102) is a hollow tab (200), the single or plurality of arms (103) either permanently trapped inside the hollow tab (200) or merely inserted in the hollow tab (200), when the container (100) is closed.

3. The container (100) of claim 1, wherein the tab (102) is a solid tab (201), the single or plurality of arms (103) being on any one of the two sides adjacent to the solid tab (201) preventing detaching of the cap (101), the first part (105) of the arm (103) optionally inseparably attached to the solid tab (201) of the cap (101).

4. A container (100) with visible trace of use, comprising of:

a cap (101) disposed on the container (100); and

at least one or plurality of arms (103), each arm (103) having a first part (104) and a second part (105), the second part (105) permanently disposed onto the container (100) and the first part (104) engaged with the cap (101) after the container (100) is filled and closed;

5. The container (100) of claim 4, wherein the first part (104) of the plurality of arms (103) inseparably disposed onto an outer circumferential surface of the cap (101).

6. The container (100) of claims 1 or 4, wherein the first part (104) of the arm (103) is a rigid projection or rectangular or circular or any cross-sectional shape, the arm (103) protruding from an upper region (107) of the container (100).

7. A container (100) with visible trace of use, comprising of:

a cap (101) disposed on the container (100),

the cap (101) integrally has at least one or plurality of arms (103), each arm

(103) is having a first part (104) and a second part (105); the first part (104) of the arm (103) inseparably disposed to the cap while the second part inseparably joined to a top region of the container after the container is filled and closed; and

8. A container (100) with visible trace of use, comprising of:

a cap (101) disposed on the container (100);

at least one or plurality of arms (103), each arm (103) having a first part

(104) and a second part (105), each arm (103) permanently disposed, together, onto the cap (101) and the container (100), the first part (104) of the arm (103) being on and the second part being on the top region of the container(lOO), after the container (100) is filled and closed;

9. The container (100) of claims 7 or 8, wherein the first part (104) and the second part (105) of each of the plurality of arms (103) is a rigid projection which is rectangular, circular, or any cross-sectional shape.

10. A container (100) with visible trace of use, comprising of:

a cap (101) disposed on the container (100);

two (one) or more inclined arms (103), each arm (103) having a first part (104) and a second part (105), each arm (103) protruding from an outer rim (902) at the upper region (107) of the container (100), connected to a lower rim (903) of the cap (101), after the container (100) is filled and closed; wherein a detachment of the cap (101) produces a fractured face (300) on the first part (104) and the second part (105), the second part (105) with the fractured face on its free end remains on a top region of the container (100).

11. The container (100) as claimed in claim 10 wherein the arms are angular instead of or in addition to inclined.

12. The container (100) of claims 1 or 4 or 7 or 8 or 10, wherein the fractured face (300) on the first part (104) and the second part (105) of the plurality of arms (103) is a serrate edge, a zigzag mark, a tooth-like mark, a rough surface, a jagged surface, a notch formation, or a combination thereof.

13. The container (100) of claims 1 or 4 or 7 or 8 or 10, wherein the detachment of the cap causes the plurality of arms breaking from a frangible section (106) or any point between the first part (104) and the second part (105) of at least one or plurality of arms (103).

14. The container (100) of claims lor 4 or 7 or 8 or 10, wherein the detachment of the cap leaves the second part (105) visibly attached to the container (100).

15. The container (100) of claims 1 or 4 or 7 or 8 or 10, wherein the cap (101) is a threaded cap, a flip-top cap (700), a seal cap, a sports cap, push-pull cap, a spice cap, a spout cap, a crown cap (800), a twist top cap, a disc top cap, a screw cap, or a tamper-proof cap.

16. The container (100) of claims 1 or 4 or 7 or 8 or 10, wherein the container (100) is a bottle or a jar or a drum.

17. The container (100) of claims 1 or 4 or 7 or 8 or 10, wherein the cap (101) when recapped produces at least one of a demarcation line (301), a gap, or an overlap on at least one or plurality of arms (103) indicating a visible trace of at least one of a use and re-use of the container (100).

18. The container (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein the second part (105) of the arm (103) has a fixing end (105a) which is a projected end or a flat end or a circular ring, or any shape commensurate for inseparably fitting the arm (103) onto a top region of the container.